No dignity in death as Malawi women forced to carry dead body of child due to lack of transport

This is unacceptable! Women were forced to take carry dead body of a child at their back  due to lack of transport facilities at Dowa District Hospital and the situation is getting worse in most public health facilities.

A heartbreaking picture that shocked the nation when it went viral in chat groups on social media,  shows  a woman carrying a dead child at the back because the hospital had no ambulance to take  the dead body home.

“No ambulance or nay other transport was available so we had no option but to take body as women had to carry at the back to our village for a funeral,” said one of the women who spoke to Nyasa Times.

She said some vehicle available near the hospital reportedly demanded money from the family to carry the body. They are poor and they could not afford.

“This is not the first times, it’s happening more often. Even senior dead people, they are being carried home on shoulders without an ambulance,” added the woman.

Malawi is facing a crisis of transporting public hospitals with most ambulances grounded.

In a related development, referral services at Nkhotakota District Hospital have suffered as the medical facility has one ambulance which ferries patients from rural health centres dotted across the district.

Clinical superintendent Jimmy Phiri said the hospital which services a population of over 400 000 is faced with many challenges. He also said inadequate funding is compelling the facility to cut down on some of the services.

Phiri disclosed that two ambulances have gone for servicing, but could not say when they will be back on the roads.

“At the moment, we only have one ambulance which is operating in the district. Another ambulance is also at the garage and the remaining one is grounded at the car park,” he said.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe could not immediately comment.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!